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News Editor: Heather Bair – zzzx@iup.edu

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International Women’s Day is celebrated March 8 every year. 2021 marks the 110th celebration.

Empowered women empower women Six O’Clock series celebrates International Women’s Day GABRIELLA BYRNE Staff Writer bmwx@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

The Six O’Clock Series is hosting an International Women’s Day Panel at 6 p.m. Monday on Zoom.

Each year, IUP seeks to host a speaker or an event with the focus of progress and challenges in other countries that have yet to be overcome. The Six O’clock Series will be hosting the International Women’s Day event that includes a panel of women from around the world. They will be discussing their experiences to understand the challenges and celebrate the accomplishments in their countries.

Director of the International Student and Scholar Services Jessica Dories explains the guests that plan to speak at the panel.

“We do have a panel of accomplished international women from Morocco, Brazil, Taiwan and Botswana who will join us on Zoom from abroad to share unique suc-

News

(Facebook) International Women’s Day uses the hashtags #ChooseToChallenge and #IWD2021 to spread awareness. cesses and challenges for women in their countries,” Dories said. “[They] are all working professionals who have attended IUP as a scholar or student. The professional joining us from Taiwan is the coordinator of academic exchange affairs division at IUP’s partner Providence University in Taiwan.”

This panel will include a chance for questions to be answered at the end of the presentation.

As early as 1908, a march in New York of about 15,000 women with the goal of demanding the right to vote, shorter hours and better pay in terms of their work started a movement that continues

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to last until this day.

1975 brought about the first celebration by the United Nations of International Women’s Day with a dedication to honor women of all backgrounds while coming together to continue the fight for gender equality.

International Women’s Day celebrates women’s accomplishments since then and seeks to raise awareness about issues that still affect women around the world.

The ultimate goal of equality is one that is both celebrated and remind us that, in some areas, there is still a road ahead for a specific demographic of people.

On a website dedicated to this day, internationalwomensday. com, themes are picked each year paired with a hashtag to bring awareness. 2021’s theme is choosing to challenge oneself in supporting women’s rights, including speaking out against inequality or gender biases.

People also can participate by attaching a picture of raising a

hand in solidarity and attaching hashtags (#ChooseToChallenge or #IWD2021) to spread awareness online.

The website encourages donating to a female-focused charity or raising and spreading awareness through several avenues like launching an initiative or reporting on an accomplishment in celebration of this day.

It also provides many resources to provide support internationally.

With guidance and resources, the International Women’s Day website provides a database for collaborative missions, a fundraising channel and a search to help find events surrounding the bringing this day into becoming something for women to band together in helping one another.

Any further questions or information can be answered by contacting the Office of International Education as they are the hosting the International Women’s Day event March 8.

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Fall classes may return to in-person, students excited ISABELLA BENSON Contributing Writer hpjy@iup.edu @ThePennIUP IUP may be taking the first few steps back to a normal life on campus with the possible return of in-person classes in the fall.

The life of a college student has been far from normal. For approximately three semesters, the hustle and bustle of a Monday morning at IUP has been a thing of the past.

Instead, students are inside on their beds, pajamas still on, struggling to open that laptop.

“One of the things I’ve missed most during the break from on-campus activity has been the little things that go along with being a college student,” Peyton Bechtold (junior, business) said.

“Walking across campus to class, meeting friends at a dining hall and the social events associated with Greek life. These are all things that we had taken from us, and it couldn't make me happier that we might be getting them all back this fall.”

(The Penn Archives) The Patrick J. Stapleton Library on campus was a bustling center of students studying, making a coffee run and more.

The IUP community is close to approaching a year with minimal to no face-to-face classes. As of Feb. 22, it has been shared that students might return to in-person classes in the fall.

The pandemic has jolted so much of the plans within the past three semesters. The students seem to be excited for the attempt to get back to normalcy, especially the seniors.

“As an upcoming senior, I was

very excited to hear that classes will be in-person,” Kaitlyn Armstrong (junior, psychology) said.

“I’m looking forward to being back on campus.”

It has been a whirlwind of events since March 12, when President Michael Driscoll started the plans for spring 2020. It’s been almost a year of online classes for an otherwise all in-person university.

“Sometimes it’s nice to roll out of bed and log into class, but it’s

just not the same,” Sydney Mather (junior, education) said. “I miss being in-person because I feel that I retain more information in a classroom. As a future teacher, I really value the classroom experience. I am very excited about IUP in-person classes maybe returning.”

For the future nurses of our university, this is a great step for success.

“I love that we might be switching to all in-person classes,” Lucia Santell (sophomore, nursing) said.

“For nursing, it’s good because, while being online, I’m slowly losing all motivation. As for in-person, I’m more engaged with learning.”

Zoom classes have taken a toll on many students and their desire to learn.

“It’s difficult to learn in the same place you're supposed to relax after a day of school or work,” Maura Nutter (sophomore, natural science and pre-physical therapy) said. “I’m really excited to get back in the swing of things and be able to do activities that I’ve missed out on for the past year.”

Sometimes it feels as if we are

doing the same thing every day.

In-person classes will show a great deal of better concentration.

“I’m very excited to be back in-person and have that real classroom setting back again,” Blaze O’Block (junior, marketing) said.

As for freshmen, it’s another level of excitement, as they might be able to live out their college years.

“Personally, I’m feeling excited for everything to potentially return back to normal in the fall just because I didn’t get that same college experience due to COVID-19,” Natalie McGarvey (freshman, nursing) said.

But this might sadden the seniors.

“It’s exciting that the students may be in-person for the upcoming fall semester, but it makes us seniors a little sad as we weren't able to live out our last year of college,” Hannah Brant (senior, biology and pre-medicine) said.

Possibly soon enough, IUP will be back to its normal chaos. Updates on the plans for fall 2021 will be released by IUP as they happen.

SGA discusses more permanent pass/fail option for certain classes MARTY WEAVER Copy Editor zglz@iup.edu @ThePennIUP IUP’s Student Government Association is working to install a permanent pass/fail policy for all students.

“It’s really all about the students,” said Noah Gentle (freshman, general management), SGA’s senator for the College of Business and Information Technology.

The proposed policy would allow students to choose “exploratory” (as in, not required for their major) classes to be graded as pass/fail instead of letter grades, Gentle said. IUP’s current pass/fail policy allows students to take up to 15 exploratory credits pass/fail during the course of their schooling. Students are limited to one pass/fail class per semester under this rule, according to IUP’s website.

In the past, a more liberal policy was regarded as emergency and temporary. The spring and fall 2020 semesters had some sort of a pass/fail policy in place to mitigate the negative

Letter grades could possibly change to pass/fail for certain classes at IUP effects of schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SGA, however, has been discussing a permanent liberal policy with IUP’s Academic Affairs Office. “[COVID-19 has] been hard on a lot of students,” Gentle said, “and it kind of gives them this relief.”

Though this policy might seem radical for some, SGA did not come up with it out of thin air.

“Lots of schools have been doing pass/fail,” Gentle said.

SGA looked specifically at West Chester University’s and Penn State University’s pass/fail policies to inform its decisions.

(IUP)

West Chester’s policy applies to students who have earned more than 30 credits and a GPA higher than 2.0, though for only elective courses, according to its website.

Penn State’s policy is a little less lenient, as it hinges on the wishes of the professor: “Experiential Credit courses may be taken Pass-Fail, if designated by the professor,” the university’s website reads.

English professor Mike Sell reacted positively to the news.

He said that he likes the idea of students having a “safety net.”

“I think that’s a beautiful idea… especially with an IUP that is diminished with retrenchment,”

Sell said.

Sell recognized that the pandemic will have lasting effects on everyone for years to come. “[COVID-19] is not going to end once we are vaccinated, and we go back to normal… The long-term effects are going to be just that: long-term.”

He said that he is “agnostic” about how students think about their grades.

Some students are also excited about the possible change.

“I think it’s a cool way to get people out of their comfort zones,” Maddie Vogan (junior, sociology) said.

And while some members of the IUP community are on-board, others are more hesitant.

“I think it’s a good idea, but I… feel a sense of trepidation toward this new style of grading,” Rob Hinkal (senior, communications media) said. “While students should absolutely feel that they can explore more classes without having to worry about their GPA, I wonder if removing the need to strive for a good grade… could be an impediment to the student’s ability to retain the information thoroughly.”

Gentle stressed the limitations of the proposed policy, specifically that is “doesn’t give students special treatment.”

Students who opt into pass/fail are expected to keep up with all the same work as their classmates, Gentle said.

Despite a few misgivings and a lot of details to hammer out with Academic Affairs, some of the IUP community sees this as a step in the right direction.

“I’m really happy to see students taking care of each other,” Sell said. “That’s the IUP way.”

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“it gives Black and Brown men an opportunity to come together and have our own group.”

New organization focuses on supporting Black, Brown male students HEATHER BAIR News Editor zzzx@iup.edu @ThePennIUP A new organization has arrived on campus to empower and support Black and Brown male students at IUP. UBORA Men of IUP found a new home in June 2020, when Dr. Malaika Turner (Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs) sent the first draft of UBORA to Dr. Tom Segar (Vice President for Student Affairs) and Theo Turner, the director of the Center for Multicultural Student Leadership and Engagement (MCSLE).

“Initially, it was inspired by an organization at Delaware State University called Faithful Black Men Association,” Malaika Turner said.

“After a few conversations with folks in the student affairs division [at IUP], it seemed like the perfect time to create something that would enhance the experience of the Black and Brown male students at IUP.” Malaika Turner approached Donovan Daniel to be the adviser for UBORA last August.

“The idea was envisioned summer of 2020,” Daniel said. “I was approached August 2020 to serve as campus adviser along with Mr. Shawn Jones. We were recognized by the university as of October 2020, and, in about two months, we went from an idea to fully recognized by IUP.” Daniel’s role is to structure and guide the organization on university policies when planning events and using social media. He also serves as a mentor for the students in the club.

“My job is two-fold,” Daniel said. “A campus adviser is meant to make sure an organization is adhering to all university policies as it pertains to how it deals with members, how to plan programs, messaging used on social media and in communications. Specifically, for this group, we are there to help teach and guide the mentor these young Black and Brown leaders.”

Another goal of UBORA is to help students feel safe, valued, and supported.

“There have been so many situations in the last few years where we’ve had racial incidents that have been disturbing,” Daniel said. “We’ve received outcry from the Black and Brown community

(IUP) Samaj Schell (left) is the secretary of UBORA, Theodore M. Turner (middle) is the vice president and Davis Kazako is the president. that they don’t always feel safe, so UBORA attempts to help students feel safe, valued and supported.”

A key element of the organization is its Christian ties.

“We understand not everyone comes from a religious background, but our founders all happen to be Christian,” Daniel said. “Some of the understanding is fueled by that, in that we believe students – people in general – have value endued upon them by the Creator.

Even if you don’t believe in that, we believe you still have it, you don’t have to do anything for it, you have value.

“That’s something Black and Brown students aren’t always aware of, and society doesn’t enforce that, so we’re going to. We’re going to help them realize they already have potential for that, already are that, based on the fact they were created.”

For the three board members, UBORA has changed their lives in the course of a few months.

“I joined for three reasons,” said Vice President Theodore M. Turner (freshman, multicultural student leadership and engagement), who is the son of Dr. Malaika Turner and Theo Turner.

“The first is that my mom founded it. Secondly, I wanted to see Black and Brown men really become a staple in the IUP community. The third is because of brotherhood, being around other people like me. There’s good fellowship.”

President Davis Kazako (junior, music) has similar reasons.

“I got asked by these two (Theodore M. Turner and Schell), and they were like, ‘This is the organiza-

tion; we want to get you in on it,’” Kazako said. “I had heard whispers about it, but it’s nice to be a part of it. There was a need for something outside of just a fraternity; there needed to be other options.

“There is never a chance to run out of opportunities for Black and Brown men to be great.”

Samaj Schell (freshman, communications media) is also related to the founder of UBORA.

“Theodore’s mom, my aunt, told me about it, and I thought, ‘That doesn’t sound too bad,’” Schell said. “There aren’t many organizations on campus specifically for Black and Brown men. We can make this small thing turn into something big.”

In Swahili, the word “UBORA” means different things; however, the organization focuses on two of those: excellence and quality.

“It is a reminder to Black and Brown male students that they have inherent worth and incredible po-

tential,” Daniel said. “We use that in the framework of our mission.

We’re very deliberate with all those words.”

For all the members, UBORA means something personal and different.

“It represents my full potential to be a mentor,” Daniel said. “I’ve been blessed in my time at IUP. I attended back in 2005–09 and again in 2013–14. I get to realize my full potential to be a mentor and give back, due to all the mentors given to me.

“It is an opportunity for me to realize my full potential as a mentor on IUP’s campus. I’ve been blessed to have mentors like Roger Briscoe, Jenkins, Destefano; the list goes on of people that have poured into me, and now I get to do that for the next generation of students, almost 20 years after I was a freshman myself.”

For Theodore M. Turner, it is a way for Black and Brown men to become a staple in the IUP community.

“It gives Black and Brown men an opportunity to come together and have our own group to really talk and eaxpress how we feel about whatever it is we’re feeling at the time,” he said.

It has also made him listen more.

“It has kind of made me more so humble myself and listen more than just speak from what I feel.

Sometimes, I like to talk more than listen to what others have to say, so it’s kind of, in that way, made me have to understand all these other people.

“There’s a ton of other people with different stories that can be

inspiring, interesting and different.”

For some, the word UBORA means more than excellence and quality.

“The word means excellence, and, for me, it is giving us another reason to show these men how they can be excellent and open up and speak on certain things they go through in their day-to-day lives,” Schell said. “It’s not just excellence, but more hope and help with whatever that is that combines us together.”

For the founder, it means everything to see the organization grow.

“UBORA means so many things to me personally,” Malaika Turner said. “I’ll say this – I’ve been here at IUP for 30 years, first as a student and now as an administrator. I’m pleased that IUP is investing in the experience of Black and Brown men.

“We need to see these young men thrive and be supported. Attending a predominantly white institution can be a difficult transition.

I want to see Black and Brown men arrive at IUP and hit the ground running because there’s a UBORA here waiting for them.”

UBORA also plans events. There is going to be a Sunday dinner this week.

“We’ll hold it once or twice a month to provide students the opportunity to gather, talk and break bread,” Daniel said. “We’re also planning a speaker series. The first speaker ... was Mr. Paul Beckles.”

Beckles is a 2009 IUP alumnus with a degree in sports management who currently works for Nike.

“He spoke about how important it is to build networks at IUP,” Daniel said. “Some advice he gave was to not start until internships and jobs and all that.”

UBORA is also planning to bring more Black and Brown male speakers who will be a mixture of IUP alumni and alumni of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

The club meets biweekly, 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays via Zoom. While UBORA is aimed toward Black and Brown male students, everyone is invited and welcome to come.

“UBORA invites faculty and staff who work with Black and Brown men at IUP to share this organization with their students,” Malaika Turner said. “So many of our Black and Brown men could use this kind of connection.”

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Money doesn’t grow on trees, even in the Oak Grove Some IUP students to receive stimulus checks through COVID-19 relief fund KADI MELLOT Contributing Writer mlwy@iup.edu @ThePennIUP IUP received $5 million under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), but where will the money go after students receive it?

“My next stimulus check will probably go to my savings and some to my car payment,” Kendra Peachy (junior, respiratory therapy major) said.

Students plan to use the third stimulus check to pay off student loans in addition to bills such as car payments, apartment rent and savings. But “savings” can have multiple definitions.

“With my prior two stimulus checks, I immediately used those funds to help pay for college loans, rent, etc.,” Karly Sherkel, (junior, music education) said.

“But this time, I think I’m using it for something that will inspire me to get through this tough time.

I would love to set this money aside and use it to see my favorite band, BTS, in concert once the pandemic is at a close.”

For Sherkel, the funds are a symbol of hope.

And she is not the only one.

“I am so excited that IUP wants to help students during this troubling time,” Alexis Boyle (freshman, supply chain management) said. “Many students and their families have lost their jobs due to COVID-19, and paying for college has become a struggle for so many people. I plan to use my check to help pay off my cur-

(Heather Bair/The Penn) The bare trees in the Oak Grove give homage to the saying, “money doesn’t grow on trees.” When students work hard, they can achieve great things. rent loans and pay for my books next semester. I am so happy IUP is taking a step in the right direction to help their students in times of need.”

But the amount of funds received varies from student to student.

“We will use your 2021 FAFSA to determine if you qualify,” IUP President Michael Driscoll said in his address to the community Feb. 19. “You do not have to do anything else.”

The information used from the FAFSA is the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). There are five ranges of EFC that determine the distribution of funds. The ranges then compensate the amount of need for each student, providing them with a check between $300 and $1,200.

“I do not agree with it being based off of your FAFSA and the income listed on FAFSA,” Madison Spade, (junior, speech language pathology) said. “Not all students are fortunate enough to receive assistance from their family, yet what they receive is still based off of the family income found on FAFSA.” When the CARES Act was distributed in spring 2020, the funds were determined based on the estimated personal budget for each type of student. For commuter students, 25 percent of the annual cost of attendance was given for a total of $400 per student. For off-campus residents, it was 50 percent for a total of $800 per student. Instead of basing CRRSAA funding on the student need like the CARES Act,

it relies on the financial stability of students’ parents. In addition, if the FAFSA is not completed by March 17, students will not be considered for funding.

“Regardless, I think it is a blessing in the uncertain times that we are living in for all that receive it,” Spade said.

The funding from the third

stimulus check helps many students meet financial needs. It provides hope to students during an ongoing pandemic which is months past its expected end.

Opinion A case to install permanent pass/fail The semester is flying by with about two months left.

It is now time to start thinking about midterms and final grades.

Starting in the spring semester of 2020, IUP started a pass/fail system when giving out grades at the end of the semester. Students were able to decide if they wanted the letter grade or have a pass or fail.

Why should the school limit this grading to only during COVID-19 times?

Each student has their own personal transcript. This is ours and ours only. Why should the school limit us on what is shown to other schools or future employers?

If they have a question on why it says pass in a class, then we have to answer that question, not IUP or a professor. It is simply an option and not something every student must use.

One of the main reasons why this grading was started was due to classes being online.

There are some students that must take care of family members and work.

Some have to support the household because their parents have disabilities or got infected

by COVID-19.

The only thing is that for some students this occurs in times that are not during a pandemic. Some of these students struggle through the semester and may get a poor grade. It is cases like this that make pass/fail such a nice

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(IUP) Permanent pass/fail will only be looked at on an individual transcript. option to have.

Grades are not owned by the school but by the students.

We are the ones that are working tirelessly to go to school.

Students should get to decide if they want a C or a pass at the end of the semester.

It is easy to look at pass/fail and say, “This is school and not a driver’s test.” Indeed, it is; there is essentially one option right now at the end of the semester the way grading is set-up.

You have several letter grades, but you cannot choose what grade is received at the end. There are ways to get a better letter by doing your homework or passing tests.

But again, all this presents students with is more options.

There is also one option at the end of a driver’s test: you pass, or you fail.

The magic word in this

entire equation is transcript.

Some students and employers are going to care about what is on it after school. At one point in everyone’s career, a college transcript will not

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mean anything. You must put in the professional work if you want to get that job or promotion.

The majority of the student body will not care either way if

IUP will make this a permanent thing. IUP probably will not market to the world they are making pass/fail permanent.

This is a small change that could make a huge difference in a student’s life.

This should never be a system that must be used by each student, but a system that can be used by every student.

IUP is a university that has helped students a lot through the pandemic, from keeping faculty and students safe to sending stimulus checks to students.

It is time to help students now and after COVID-19 is gone by making pass/fail a permanent option for everyone. At the end of the day, it is our choice what is shown at the end on our transcripts.

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Opinion

Culture

Culture Editor: Eva Tillich – jxsbc@iup.edu Lead Culture Writer: Haley Brown – tbfx@iup.edu

The IUP Symphony Orchestra’s performance can be found on The Lively Arts YouTube channel Wednesday.

(Facebook)

T h e S y m p h o n y O r c h e s tra is B a c h a g a in

IU P S y m p h o n y O rc h e s t ra ’s liv e s t re a m w ill fe a t u re v a rie t y o f p ie c e s HALEY BROWN Lead Culture Writer tbfx@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

On Thursday, IUP’s The Lively Arts YouTube channel will be hosting a livestream of a performance by the IUP Symphony Orchestra.

From 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., the orchestra will perform for a limited audience and YouTube livestream.

It will feature an array of orchestral music from across the globe and composed throughout the last 200 years.

The list scheduled to be performed will also include pieces from Black composers Florence Price and Samuel Coleridge Taylor. The “Unfinished Symphony” by Schubert will also be a featured piece.

The event will be streamed live with no public audience, which means that only members from the IUP community will have access.

There will be an in-person audience limited to 25 IUP students with valid I-Cards.

“Performing for a livestream is quite a different experience from

Culture

performing with an in-person audience,” Dr. Alexandra Dee, conductor and IUP Director of Orchestral Studies, said.

“There is a certain energy that performers feel when there are other people in the room, and you know they are hearing what you are playing; a video camera pointed at the stage does not come close to replacing that environment. I am very happy that this concert will be open for in-person attendance for anyone with an IUP card.

“It is a much more fulfilling experience for everyone involved.”

The orchestra has been preparing long and hard for this event, and the result is sure to delight. Since Jan. 20, the student musicians and their conductor, Dee, have been having two rehearsals each week, with limited rehearsals for the wind-instrumentalists due to COVID-19 precautions.

“Being part of an orchestra concert is always an exciting experience, as it involves dozens of musicians working as a team to create a meaningful performance,” Dee said.

“After weeks of preparation, both as individuals and as a group, everyone contributes their part to create something larger than themselves.

There is nothing like the energy on stage when a performance is going well, and all of the musicians are connected in the moment.”

Due to the need for precaution with the wind instruments, Dee chose a piece specifically involving wind players and framed the rest of the concert around that one. The piece will be the first movement of Franz Schubert’s “Symphony No. 8” and was one of the first pieces chosen for this concert with the wind players in mind.

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Not only will the concert feature student musicians, but it will also include a piccolo performance by IUP flute professor Dr. Therese Wacker. She is to perform a piccolo concerto composed by Antonio Vivaldi. Wacker also played a part in helping Dee choose some of the music and complete some of the planning for this event.

“As the conductor, I tend to be enthusiastic about every piece we play because I get to know them so intimately, and it’s my job to get the orchestra invested in the music,” Dee said.

“While it is hard for me to choose a favorite, I am particularly excited to be performing Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s ‘Novelletten No. 2.’ It is a charming work with catchy tunes written by a talented composer who was unfairly neglected for much of the 20th century. I learned about the piece last summer while searching for music written for string orchestra and percussion, and I have greatly enjoyed studying it and sharing it with the orchestra. It is a gem.”

Despite the many negative impacts of the pandemic, such as the rehearsal limitations for musicians playing wind instruments, Dee remains positive and decides to focus on the positive blessings that working with the IUP orchestra has brought this year.

“For me personally, I love the community aspect of orchestral performance, which has been particularly meaningful this year,” Dee said.

“While many of my conducting colleagues across the country have been unable to make music over the last year, I have felt incredibly lucky that the IUP Symphony Orchestra has been rehearsing and performing all school year.”

If you find yourself in need of some relaxing and beautiful music in this time of stress, consider attending or streaming this event to support the IUP Symphony Orchestra. Take the time to enjoy timeless pieces from a variety of talented composers performed by IUP’s inarguably talented students and faculty.

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Culture

S tu d e n ts g e t s t y lis h w ith S t y le s b y C Business Spotlight EVA TILLICH jxsbc@iup.edu I am Eva, and I will be writing weekly about Black student businesses. Stay tuned for next week’s business spotlight.

Styles by C is a health and beauty business that specializes in nail tech and lace installations.

Services reach to the Pittsburgh area and IUP. Cierra Nicole (junior, sociology) said that she created her business by herself over a year

(Instragram @_c.styles) Cierra Nicole, owner of Styles by C, creates beautiful nails. ago, but as for her business’ name, a friend helped her decide.

“I mostly created [Styles by C] by myself,” Nicole said. “However, one of my friends did pick my

name because I was having a hard time.”

Nicole said that her inspiration to create her business came from her friends.

“All of my friends are very talented at stuff,” Nicole said. “My best friend does makeup, and my other friend does everything you can think of except nails and makeup.”

Nicole decided that nails would be her passion and her own thing.

Nicole said that the most special thing about her as a businesswoman is her creativity. She takes people’s ideas and puts them together when doing their nails.

While running her business, Nicole also learned many things.

“It has taught me how to work better with others and communicate in different situations.”

Being able to communicate is extremely important when working with others. Effective com-

munication skills help improve experiences and build good relationships.

Nicole also learned many things that she wants to share with others think of creating their own business.

“My advice to others is to not compare yourself to others,” Nicole said. “You may see others learning faster than you or doing a better job than you, but everyone moves at their own pace.”

If you are interested in any of Styles by C’s services, appointments will begin to be taken again for IUP students starting March 13. There will be a weeklong deal, so be on the outlook.

For any other information, be sure to follow @_c.styles on Instagram.

Culture

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March 3, 2021

S T A T IC w in s b ig , tra v e ls w o r ld in o n e w e e k STATIC HALEY BROWN tbfx@iup.edu I am Haley and will be writing weekly about the upcoming events for STATIC. Stay tuned.

This week, the Student Activity Committee (STATIC) features the IUP version of the game show The Price is Right, a Netflix & Chill Horror Night and even a Virtual Field Trip event.

The first event of the coming week is another installation of the IUP game show event series. IUP’s virtual The Price Is Right will be hosted by STATIC on Wednesday.

The event will be hosted through a Zoom meeting and will run from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Participants will have the chance to win thousands of dollars in prize money and a chance to compete against other IUP students. Students who want to be a contestant must register on STATIC’s page for the event. Only active I-Card holders

(Facebook) On the Virtual Field Trip, you can visit Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. who are 18 or older will be considered as possible contestants.

“Our entertainment chair and vice entertainment chair, Sophie [Weingrad] and Erin [Wilhelm] are in charge of the event,” Cassidy Krug, STATIC’s executive chair, said.

“They’ll be hosting it [virtually] from the STATIC office at the Hadley Union Building (HUB). We have six games that they’ll be playing for prizes. We will have six contestants at a time, and it’s basically going to be set up the same way as the show, but with virtual games.”

Students who are interested in watching are welcome to join the Zoom meeting as well, and those

who want to only watch do not have to preregister to join in on the fun.

On Friday, STATIC will host another of its well-known Netflix & Chill events. This particular event will have the theme “Horror Night.” This semester, for the first time in STATIC’s Netflix & Chill history, students can look forward to participating by helping to pick the movie that will be played. Students were given the option to vote for one of four movies through STATIC’s Instagram page.

“It’s going to be the same as the other [Netflix & Chill events] that we’ve been doing,” Krug said.

“There will be a $25 Netflix gift

card for the people that voted in the poll that we put up [Saturday].

Something that we’ve been doing different with this event is that we’ve been letting students choose which movie. We’ve given them four options on our Instagram, and then we let them vote in the poll so that it’s kind of more interactive and they can see the movie that they want to see.

“The winner of that poll was ‘Monster House,’ so that’s exciting because that was the one that I was rooting for.”

The film will begin at 8 p.m., and the event is estimated to run until 10 p.m. During the Netflix & Chill, there will also be some chances to win Trivia through two different platforms, one platform being STATIC’s Instagram story and another game runs through the platform used to stream the movie.

“We do Trivia on Instagram through our stories and then through Teleparty, which is what we use to watch the movie since there is a chat function, so we do Trivia in there as well,” Krug said.

“There are two winners, one for Instagram and one for Teleparty, and each of them will win a $25 Amazon gift card.”

On Tuesday, STATIC will host

a Virtual Field Trip event in which students can explore different sites across the world.

“We found a website that has a bunch of different narrated tours of pretty much anything you can think of. The sort of theme that we decided to go for with it is around the world, so there will be four different breakout rooms in the Zoom call, and each different room will be dealing with a different country, continent or area of the world.”

There will be a breakout room for Africa, North and South America, Asia and Europe. For each area, there will be about four destinations that students can choose to virtually tour.

During the field trips, there will also be the option to play some mini trivia.

“It’s not going to be the whole event trivia-based but [will have] a little interactive portion, and we’ll be giving away gift baskets with different snacks that are related to each area of the world areas [as the prizes].”

Another week full of exciting events hosted by STATIC is on its way. If in need of some down time from mid-semester work, consider joining STATIC.

WIUP-FM does not stop believing, continues journey despite COVID-19 setbacks MARIAH MAUSER Staff Writer lmvbc@iup.edu @ThePennIUP WIUP-FM is still rocking it as a radio station despite the pandemic and modern music streaming services.

At any given time, there is a broad array of music that students can listen to on WIUP-FM. “When we have student broadcasters, it can include anything from hip-hop, indie rock, jazz, classic rock, metal, punk, electronic music and R&B to name a few,” Zack Stiegler, faculty advisor of WIUP-FM, said.

“On the weekends and over breaks, we are staffed by community volunteers who bring an equally eclectic but different array, including bluegrass, country, oldies, folk and classic.”

Sometimes it is hard to find a new song or genre to listen to. Luckily, with WIUP-FM, there are different styles and DJs playing constantly.

Throughout the week, the radio station varies from top hits to heavy metal to public affairs broadcasts.

(The Penn Archives) WIUP-FM features the several student broadcasters and a range of music selections.

“On my segment, ‘Progressions’ on Monday nights at 6 to 8 p.m., you can expect to hear a mix of different genres of indie music,” Eric Goins (freshman, regional planning) said. “I try to use my segment to promote small artists and music I really love.”

There is a lot of variety that can be provided by the DJs at the station. Even between the same show, there are often differences between DJs. “Genre-wise, ‘Progressions’ lives

up to the classic college radio music format, meaning I play anything alternative, indie or underground,” Flora Kelly (sophomore, communications media production) said.

“You’ll hear me play anything from goth, new wave and postpunk from the ‘80s, to shoegaze, bedroom pop, surf rock and even hyper pop. I also sometimes like to give my opinion on some of my music and a little bit of background on certain artists or new songs that have recently dropped.”

In the age of music on demand on streaming services, the average college student might question why they should listen to the radio. However, there is a key factor to what students would be missing if they did not give WIUP-FM a listen.

“Of course, we live in a world where nearly any content is available for users on demand through streaming platforms and the digital marketplace,” Stiegler said. “What is missing, however, is the human element.

Rather than spitting back content that has been calculated by algorithmic data (the collection of which you may or may not have consented to), DJs at stations like WIUP carefully curate their shows, driven by a passion for music.”

In the modern age of social media and streaming services, it can be much more preferable to take a moment to enjoy the things that people put their passion into. This could be as simple as tuning into your local radio station and listening to what your community puts on the air.

Unfortunately, due to the

COVID-19 pandemic, there are no events being hosted by the radio.

The radio staff and community are hopeful, though, that by the fall 2021 semester, there should be more opportunities for events to be held.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also affected the amount of time the radio can play this semester, so it currently only plays on the weekends and Fridays.

Thanks to Kelly, though, who is also the current station manager, the radio is hopeful to start playing on Mondays as well. The staff is hopeful that the radio will be able to play throughout the week again soon.

“We’ve got shows that fit with just about anybody’s music taste – indie, classic rock, rap, EDM and more,” Kelly said.

There certainly is a wide range of music and different DJs to satisfy anyone’s taste. The staff at WIUP-FM hope that the students and the IUP community listen to their programs. If you are interested, you can listen to WIUP-FM at 90.1FM or on wiupfm.org.

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March 3, 2021

Culture

Students decide which place on, off campus is the best to eat at EVA TILLICH Culture Editor jxsbc@iup.edu @ThePennIUP IUP and Indiana host a variety of places for people to eat at. But what place is the best according to the students?

With IUP’s North Dining Hall, the options in the Hadley Union Building (HUB) and the many food locations off of campus, the options are not limited to students.

“My favorite place to eat on campus is Chick-fil-A because it has the best chicken sandwiches around the area, and you can’t find another Chick-fil-A unless you drive an hour away from the campus,” Evan Orr (junior, actuarial mathematics) said.

Orr does not eat off campus that often because he commutes. He enjoys home cooking, but if he had to a place to grab a bite, he said he would choose Insomnia Cookies.

(Heather Bair/The Penn) The HUB has a variety of dining options like Chick-fil-A. Insomnia Cookies is a bakery located on S. Seventh Street.

They sell a variety of cookies, ice creams and even cakes.

“It has some delicious combinations, and the cookies are pretty big,” Orr said.

To improve the dining options, Orr said Chick-fil-A should ex-

pand its options and have the full menu instead of the limited one.

Orr said, in the future, if he finds himself on campus more often, he will try to go to North and try out what they have to offer.

North Dining has a place to make your own salad and sandwich.

It also has a Taste of Home section

that has foods that might have been made at their own home.

There is also True Balance and vegan choices.

“My favorite place to eat on campus would have to be North since it has both food that are constants, such as chicken tenders and pizza, and food that is changed between each day,” Thomas Valcukas said (freshman, biology). “The only thing I would change is making the grilled cheese a constant as well.”

Valcukas, who lives on campus, said when he goes off campus, his favorite place to eat is Sheetz near the HUB. “If I get hungry late at night, I can walk down there and grab a little snack.”

In the future, Valcukas said he would like to try Einstein Bros.

Bagels at the HUB. “On campus, I like eating at the HUB because of all of the options there,” Sydney Greitz (freshman,

exploratory) said. “I enjoy Chickfil-A and the Einstein Bros. Bagels, but I wish those places used meal swipes instead of only Flex. I would say that overall, I think the food is generally good at the HUB.” Greitz, who also lives on campus, said her favorite place off campus is Casa Jalisco, which is a Mexican restaurant that is located on Philadelphia Street.

Options at Casa Jalisco include burritos, enchiladas, fajitas and tacos. Every order also comes with chips and salsa.

“It has great food and service,” Greitz said. “The prices are also very reasonable. My friends and I enjoy going there on weekends to eat and hang out.”

With so many options, it is hard to say what dining options is the best. Every student has their own tastes and preference, so it is a great thing that IUP and Indiana have multiple choices.

Yo u d o n’t n eed to b e a G ilm o re G irl to fa ll in lo ve w ith In d ia n a’s d in er A Taste of Indiana CAIO GOMES hysbc@iup.edu I am Gordon Ramsay’s biggest threat. I like discussing politics and making music puns. *This article contains opinion.

Located in Route 22, right between Indiana and Blairsville, Dean’s Diner is one of the few diners from the ‘50s that remains open and unchanged.

Because of its unchanged appearance, entering the diner feels like going on a field trip back to the ‘50s. Everything in the diner, from the retro-style counter matching colors with the retro-style round chairs to the metallic rounder roof that reminds of an old subway train, is reminiscent of the iconic decade.

Although some may consider the retro-style as a charming add-

(Caio Gomes/The Penn) Dean’s Diner is great choice for anyone interested in a classic ‘50s dining experience. on to the place, others believe that the rather rustic appearance of the dining is a bit unappealing.

Somethings look as though they never been replaced, which can give the sensation of cheapness and staleness.

“I think the place is super cute,” Darius Flewellen (freshman, English education) said. “But I can definitely see why some people wouldn’t be impressed.

“Some things here [in the diner] really look janky and old.”

The way the dining looks, however, is far from the only controversy surrounding it. Its mask policy can also raise some eyebrows.

Although Google and one Yelp review claim that the use of a facial mask is required to enter the dining, in reality, not much of this seems to be enforced.

On a day-to-day basis, one would notice that people are allowed to walk around the dining with no masks at all. This includes the waiters and waitresses, who although were very friendly, did not seem to realize that there is a pandemic going on.

“I’ve been paranoid with COVID-19 ever since I went there,” Madison Reddick (freshman, pre-med) said. “I didn’t see a problem with the people not wearing masks at their tables because this is normal, but when the waitress showed up with no mask, I was surprised. I think this is very ignorant.”

While the handling of the pandemic is something people disagree on, there is one thing people feel safe on agreeing: the food is amazing.

There are some minor issues, such as the fact that not everything on the menu is available or some things being listed wrongly, but in general the menu had a good variation of things ranging from breakfast food to sandwiches. There were also some more

elaborated entrées in the menu.

The price was also a big point in favor of the diner. The prices ranged from between $3 to $10.

The only downside in the pricing was that the diner charged 30 extra cents to add cheese on the hamburgers. This, however, seems like a minor issue when considering that the price for a cheeseburger was only $3.10.

“To get good food for such a lower price is a good deal,” Winter Cunningham (freshman, interior design) said. “I mean, some dishes were a little small, [I’m] not going to lie, but mine felt like the right size and the right price.”

Flewellen added that even if some of the dishes were small, that wasn’t really a problem since they were so cheap that someone could ask for two and still pay less than a regular restaurant.

Overall, Dean’s Diner is a good traditional place for those who enjoy the nostalgia-feel; however, those who are taking the pandemic seriously should rather wait to pay the diner a little visit.

Culture

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March 3, 2021

P un ch lin e

The Pennyslvania band that is no joke Local Bands LANE LANNAN ffpcc@iup.edu I am in the top .001 percent of The Beach Boys’ fans on Spotify.

I also like playing games and vibing with my party lights.

Pop music can be very catchy, but also carry emotion. Nowhere is this more apparent than with Punchline.

Punchline is a band from Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, which is 45 minutes outside of Pittsburgh. The group was started in 1998 by Steve Soboslai on guitar and vocals, Chris Fafalios on bass guitar and PJ Caruso on drums. Starting out as a small garage band, they eventually made connections, despite still being in high school, to record their first album, “How To Get Kicked Out of the Mall.”

The band then went on to

self-record and self-release a second album, the self-titled album “Punchline.” Following the releases of their first two albums, Punchline was joined by Paul Menotiades on guitar and vocals. At this point, the band was gaining more traction, and were signed to Fueled by Ramen records, whereat they recorded their third album, but their first official release, “Action,” with the song “Heart Transplant” being the most streamed song off the album, according to Spotify.

“The song (‘Heart Transplant’) was pretty good,” Dylan Roberts McDonald (freshman, psychology) said, “I like how the song’s lyrics flowed quickly, but still fit in with the instrumentation behind it.”

Punchline was praised upon release of “Action” because of the change to the punk formula by adding harmonies, catchy riffs and melodies that were very unique.

Following the minor success of “Action,” Punchline went on a series of tours. During the touring, however, Menotaides left the group.

(Facebook) Punchline was formed in Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania in 1998.

The remaining members enlisted Greg Wood to fill the vacant spot for the remaining shows. Eventually, after the touring had ended, Wood became a permanent member for the group and played keyboards and piano on the band’s 2006 release, “37 Everywhere.” The song “Flashlight” was the lead single for the album.

“I think that the song ‘Flashlight’ was a pretty good song”, Matthew Levenson (freshman, accounting) said.

Levenson went on to say that the lyrics of the song were interesting to listen to, especially with how aggressive they were at certain spots.

Punchline used the help of several different artists to make the songs within “37 Everything,” which all worked in their favor, as “37 Everything” was again received well.

Punchline was in a weird spot after “37 Everything” released. Wood left the band to pursue a solo career.

They chose Jon Belan, a longtime friend of the band, to fill the spot.

The group also decided that the time had come to leave Fueled by Ramen, and make their own independent record label, which they called Modern Short Stories.

The band started work on releasing their next album, “Just Say Yes.” The song “The Other Piano Man” is

the standout of the album.

“It was an interesting song (‘The Other Piano Man’) to listen to”, Lily Carone (freshman, pre-med) said.

“The chord progressions gave it a sarcastic, and almost angry tone.”

Carone went on to say that the play on words in the title was interesting, as it reminded her of the popular song “Piano Man” by Billy Joel. There are other references located in the song, including name-dropping the song “Let It Be”

by The Beatles, “Bennie and the Jets” by Elton John and Queen.

The band went through some other changes after the release of “Just Say Yes.” This included the departure of the original drummer, Caruso. Despite this loss, Punchline was able to find a temporary drummer in Pat Dee. Dee was shortly let go and replaced with Cory Muro. The band recorded another album in 2010 called “Delightfully Pleased.”

Punchline continued to make music through the rest of the decade, with 2013’s “Politefully Dead,” 2015’s “Thrilled” and 2018’s “LION.” The band also released singles in 2020. If you want to listen to Pennsylvania pop music, stream Punchline for a good time.

Sports

Sports Editor: Jeff Hart – J.R.Hart2@iup.edu Lead Sportswriter: Austin Smith – A.S.Smith7@iup.edu

Crimson Hawks cleared for takeoff

PSAC announces return to play for remainder of spring season Jeffery Hart

Sports Editor J.R.Hart2@iup.edu @ThePennIUP The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference’s (PSAC) Board of Directors announced its return to competition guidelines for the spring 2021.

That’s right folks, sports are back.

With the PSAC’s announcement, there is a charge of excitement in the air to the news.

“We are very pleased that we are able to move forward with our plans for this semester,” PSAC Commissioner Steve Murray said. “Everyone at our member institutions has done an exceptional job getting us to this point and we are all excited to make it happen.

“We will remain vigilant to the circumstances of COVID-19 across our league and make changes as necessary, but for now, we are very positive about returning to competition.”

“We’ve been expecting to have an outdoor track season since late fall, so any other decision would have been devastating,” cross country head coach Joey Zins said.

“It’s nice to be able to look forward to something, and then to actually be able to continue looking forward to it.”

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the PSAC and many sports leagues have had to delay, modify or outright cancel their athletic seasons. This is possible because now universities have a full semester of being in COVID-19 protocol, along with increased COVID-19 testing availability.

Obviously, safety is the very first concern for the PSAC and their athletes. Testing and monitoring for COVID-19 will constantly be in place.

The league will require ongoing, COVID-19 surveillance testing using NCAA guidelines in each of the league’s spring sports including baseball, softball, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s golf, women’s lacrosse and outdoor track and field, along with the league’s upcoming championships in men’s and women’s cross country and

14

men’s and women’s swimming.

Along with the reassurance of a spring season, IUP is also going to be allowing some fans in attendance for sporting events. This will be the first time IUP athletes will be able to perform in front of Hawk Nation for the first time since last year.

This news naturally has athletes and coaches excited.

“I am very excited to see some fans attending our matches,” tennis player Karolin Kirchtag (junior, sports management) said. “It’s nice

when friends and families can come out and support us during our matches.”

“We had a home event last weekend for cross country without spectators,” Zins said. “While it was great just to have a meet, there will definitely be a better overall atmosphere with fans.

“I know friends, family, and alumni are anxious to see our teams compete. I think it can be done safely as long as fans are wearing masks and spread out,

March 3, 2021

which shouldn’t be an issue for our sport. Our student-athletes have been working hard for a long time and deserve an opportunity to show what they can do.”

This past year and several months have been full of devastation and uneasiness for athletes and coaches everywhere. This news can finally give these athletes something other than those unpleasant feelings.

“The announcement is important for clarity and peace of mind,” Zins

said. “The work that we put in every day to try to improve as a team and provide a quality experience for our student-athletes stays the same.

“But we are very excited to be back to having a season, even though we recognize this spring can still be fraught with challenges. This is what we do and we are grateful to be able to do it again.”

Don’t look now, but we are not too far away from being able to pack the arenas, stadiums and fields around IUP. Get ready for takeoff, Hawk Nation; IUP sports are back.

Sports

March 3, 2021

Sports

15

IUP lacrosse going into season with sense of urgency

‘We are in crunch time and making up for a lot of lost time with the pandemic’ AUSTIN SMITH

Lead Sportswriter A.S.Smith7@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

The Crimson Hawks are ready to snipe goals into the nets of Miller Stadium because lacrosse season is on the horizon.

The first game for the Hawks, a home opener, is set to be against Grand Valley State on March 12.

The first four games for the Hawks will be home games. The remaining three opponents in the four-game home series for the Hawks will be Slippery Rock, Seton Hill and Lock Haven.

“Over the pandemic, we had to be very creative with how we completed workouts and skills sets,” head coach Brenna Gallagher said. “Our team had to be accountable for their fitness and be creative because, with so many gym shutdowns and restrictions, it made it very difficult for them to complete all workouts the same way.”

The Hawks seem to be warmed up due to the hard work they have put in during the pandemic.

“Now that we are back and preparing for the spring season, we are being surveillance tested every week and following social distancing guidelines while at practice,” Gallagher said.

The season start looks to be promising as the COVID-19 safety guidelines are being in place for the Crimson Hawks and the community itself. With the skills being worked on and everybody working hard as much as they can, the Hawks’ roster has a lot of depth and players that have grown their game over the past year.

“Our team has come back and been locked into practices and workouts

because we are in crunch time and making up for a lot of lost time with the pandemic,” Gallagher said. “Our senior class has shown great leadership and a lead by example approach off and on the field. Our team is young, so our upperclassman has focused on improving their skill sets along with finding a voice in practice.”

It is always good to have the upperclassmen lead in certain aspects of the game because it allows the underclassmen to flourish and grow themselves.

“I am eager to see sophomore attacker Jordan Kulp (nursing) and junior Chloe Borland (finance) be the quarterbacks behind cage in our offensive sets,” Gallagher said. “Kayte Zeiler (senior, exercise science) is coming back strong in the midfield along with Leah Hunter (junior, speech pathology).

“Our defense is going to be led by two senior defenders Gigi Piocquidio (senior, management) and Shannon Reape (senior, nursing), with an experienced goalie Lauren Piecknic (senior, finance).”

IUP’s having two senior defenders should allow smoother transitioning up the field for a more dynamic offensive rush.

With the roster full of depth and experience, there will be a bunch of new Hawks on the field.

“We have nine freshmen this year,” Gallagher said. “They all have done a great job adapting even in pandemic times.

There will be a lot of freshman on the field this season making an impact.”

Gallagher is grateful for the opportunity to get back on the field.

“I think we are just

fortunate for every practice and game we get in this season,” Gallagher said. “Our team is taking precautions seriously and want to compete.

“So, I am going to give a very optimistic answer that we will get every game in. Maybe some

postponed games along the way, but we will navigate it.”

Even through a pandemic, the lacrosse team is looking to improve.

“Our focus is a team offense and wants everyone to be a threat,” Gallagher said. “Our coaching staff emphasizes and gives our players room to be creative and confident in our motions and sets.

We have focused on managing the shot clock, working off each other’s strengths, and improving our shooting percentage.

“On defense, our focus has

been to be aggressive but controlled and to communicate effectively.”

So, we should see better ball control and taking more time in the opponent’s zone to create scoring chances. It is always great to manage the clock to the best you can in a game. Along with managing the clock better, everybody can produce is just as important in a game as well.

With games quickly approaching soon for the Crimson Hawks, it seems it is going to be a solid season for them. High expectations and goals are on the horizon for Gallagher and her Crimson Hawks.

Now that the season has been guaranteed by the PSAC, this squad should fully expect to play all 13 scheduled games this season.

So, make sure to stay tuned in for the first faceoff March 12 at noon against Grand Valley State at Miller Stadium.

March 3, 2021

16

Sports

(fightingsportsbook.com)

Hot Take Jake gives his UFC 259 betting choices Sports Betting Jake Taylor @JakeTaylor8726 Jake Taylor is not your typical analyst. His versatile skill set to win you money against the books in unparaleled.

The UFC continues to knock out ratings one main event at a time.

UFC 259 is going to continue the upward trend. The title bouts are must-see, and there is money to be won. If you’re reading this, go outside and dig a big ditch because come Monday, you will be diving into your pool of gold coins.

Let’s begin with the early main card, the light heavyweight fight between No. 2 Thiago Santos (+135) and No. 4 Aleksander Rakic (-165). Santos enters Saturday off back-to-back losses, making him the underdog. Santos has not won

a match in more than two years.

The favorite, Rakic, is coming in off a decisive win. His powerful leg work and vicious strikes make him an extreme favorite, in my opinion. Rakic’s long strong legs put him above Santos in the lethal strike column. Rakic is too lethal to lose this one. Go with Rakic (-165) The lightweight bout is between No. 14 Islam Makhachev (-350) and No. 13 Drew Dober (+265). Dober is coming in hot but is still the underdog. Makhachev hasn’t fought since 2019 but is an unfortunate knockout away from 19–0. Makhachev is a much better wrestler and grappler. Dober does not match up well against a wrestler like Makhachev.

I am one to root for the underdog; Dober’s strength and knockout ability will be easy to root for. However, this is not a good matchup for him because Makhachev has not fought in a while and is an extremely fierce competitor. This is a high-risk, high-reward bet: Dober (+265).

Now into the title fights, the first being the Bantamweight battle between champion Peter Yan (-135) against Aljamain Sterling (+105). Two bantamweight beasts go neck-and-neck this Saturday. Both fighters are coming in extremely hot, and both fighters have few career losses.

This is easily the best matchup on paper for UFC 259. Sterling typically starts fights out aggressively, but with Yan’s top-tier boxing ability, I am not sure it will be best for Sterling to do so. Sterling is a talented grappler but hasn’t done an efficient job taking down his opponents recently. If Sterling wants to win this match, he better win it on the ground. Yan is a jab artist and the octagon is his canvas. I

have Yan (-135).

The women’s featherweight title fight is the mismatch of the century with champion Amanda Nunes (-1400) and Megan Anderson (+750).

Nunes is arguably the best women’s MMA fighter of all time. Her pure dominance in the sport is something to seriously consider when betting on this fight. Anderson is much larger than Nunes, but when it comes to pure fighting, she stands no chance. There is a reason Nunes is on an 11-fight knockout streak and a favorite at (-1400).

Nunes all the way.

Now on to the main event, an intense fight that should live up to all the hype. The light-heavyweight title fight will be the champion Jan Blachowicz (+205) against the middleweight

Amanda Nunes

champion Israel Adesanya (-265).

Adesanya is 20–0 and has been cleaning the middleweight class with ease. He now has his eyes set on being a two-belt champion by beating Blachowicz in his division.

Adesanya will be fighting in the division for the first time in his MMA career, but his reach is as deadly as anyone in the light heavyweight class. His fight IQ and speed will get anyone if they do not come to perform a perfect fight. Blachowicz has his hands full with this fight. He needs to land his deadly kicks at an efficient rate; if not, consider him toast. has power but that is not always a sure thing; he must come ready to fight without mistakes. Land his kicks, win his takedowns, and stay disciplined on his strikes. Adesanya can strike at any moment and deceive his opponents into making mistakes they believe are opportune at the time.

I’m liking a new double champchamp at the end of the night, Adesanya (-265).